Berger



March 24, 1964 K. BERGER SOCKET SHELLS S W I w w A K. BERGER SOCKETSHELLS March 24, 1964 INVENTOR. (op n2 Bayes /47'7'of/Y 76 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1957 March 24, 1964 BERGER 3,126,160

SOCKET SHELLS Filed Sept. 25, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent3,126,160 SOCKET SHELLS Kornel Berger, Kew Gardens, NY. Berger MachineProducts Inc., 74-16 Grand Ave., Maspeth, N.Y.) Filed Sept. 25, 1957,Ser. No. 686,084 2 Claims. (Cl. 240-153) This invention relates tosocket shells.

A conventional household electric socket of the type which is adapted tohave a bulb or attachment detachably secured thereto, as by threadingtherein, customarily includes an Edison threaded ferrule and optionallya switch mechanism, these two parts, when furnished, are an integratedwhole which, in the trade, are known as a socket interior. Even in theabsence of the switch mechanism, the ferrule and its support likewiseare known as a socket interior. A conventional socket of the characterdescribed further includes a cover for the interior known as a shell. Ina present day standard socket the shell comprises two sections, one ofthese being a shallow flanged dish-shaped base located at the end of thesocket interior where the wire enters, and the other being asleeve-shaped piece which is comparatively long and extends over almostthe full length of the socket ferrule. Accordingly, when the sleeve isremoved, the Edison screw ferrule, and the switch mechanism, if present,are almost entirely exposed. The sleeve and base are detachably securedto one another by a snap connection, and for this purpose the sleevecustomarily includes an annularly arranged set of indentations, and thebase flange includes a matching series of inwardly extendingprotuberances designated to be received in said indentations. The end ofthe sleeve on which the indentations are formed is flexible, this effectbeing secured by making the shell of light sheet metal and by notching.Thereby, this end can be constricted and introduced into the open mouthof the base whereupon when said end of the sleeve is released, it willexpand and lock the two parts of the shell together.

Although the foregoing construction is quite satisfactory from the pointof view of cost, it is subject to a great many drawbacks. For instance,when it is desired to utilize such a socket in an electric lightingdevice (this including, by way of example, electric lighting fixturesand electric lamps), it is necesary to employ an extra element orelements for proper mounting of a lamp shade or equivalent part. Thus,if the socket is to be used in a simple lamp, the manufacturer oftenwill provide an ornamental cover for the shell and also will utilize aspring clip that is adapted to grasp the light bulb and to carry a lampshade. If the socket is used in a table lamp or in a more elaboratelamp, the manufacturer will provide a holder or husk which is fastenedbelow the socket and which carries a lamp harp or bowl to support ashade.

It will be appreciated by experienced workers in the lamp field that,with the exception of the spring clip, the extra element is attached tothe lamp adjacent the base of the socket or to the socket itself. Hence,once manufacture of a lamp is complete, the character of the lamp ispermanently fixed because the shade must be attached to the specificshade support which has been provided for it and the position and typeof which now is permanently fixed. Phrased di ferently, if amanufacturer wishes to change a lamp from, say, one using a harpsupported shade to one using a bowl, it is necessary almost completelyto disassemble the lamp so as to substitute a bowl holder for the harp.This means that once a lamp has been made and shipped it is impossible,as a practical matter, for a householder or retailer to change the lampafter it is in his possession so that a retailer therefore must carry acomparatively large stock of lamps on hand at all times 3,1Zfi,lfiPatented Mar. 24, 1.964

and a householder must buy a new lamp if she wishes a change in the typeof shade.

Another well known disadvantage of a conventional Edison householdsocket is the weak joint between the sleeve and base. It has beenpointed out above that this joint, as a matter of standard practice, isa simple snap fitting. If the sleeve is hit from the side or is twisted,it almost immediately pops out of the base. Many people will not try toreassemble the socket cover and either discard the lamp or bring it infor repair. Even if the householder effects the repair himself, theshell never again is as strong as it was originally, and, moreover, heruns the risk of getting a severe shock because the insulating sleeveinside the socket shell becomes fragile with age and is liable to breakwhen the sleeve is constricted so that the sleeve may touch the Edisonferrule and become hot.

It is an object of my invention to provide a unique new socket shellwhich obviates all of the foregoing difiiculties.

More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide for anEdison socket interior a socket shell which permits the type of lamp tobe altered after manufacture is complete, that is to say, which enablesa lamp to be changed freely from one type to another as, for instance,from harp to bowl holder, to a spring clip type, to a spider typeholder, to a husk etc., in a rapid and simple manner withoutdisassembling the lamp or demounting the socket.

It is another object of my invention to provide a socket shell of thecharacter described which constitutes two parts one of which is designedto be a permanent part of the lamp and to be permanently secured to thesocket interior, and the other of which is rapidly detachably and firmlyengaged to the first part and, optionally, includes a holder for a shadeor the like, the two parts complementing one another to form a cover fora socket interior, whereby the shell itself, when fully assembled,includes a shade holder or like element.

It is another object of my invention to provide a socket shell of thecharacter described constituting a pair of parts which together fullycover a socket interior, wherein the two parts are so detachablyintegrated with one another that despite a comparatively lightweightconstruction, they are firmly interlocked and cannot come apart uponaccidental application of stresses such as are occasioned by knocking,accidental turning or transverse strain.

It is another object of my invention to provide a socket shell of thecharacter described which will permit retailers and distributors greatlyto lessen their stock on hand and will permit them at the very lastmoment to alter the type of lamp on any given base.

It is another object of my invention to provide a new rugged andreliable two-part socket shell.

It is another object of my invention to provide a novel detachable harp.

It is another object of my invention to provide a socket shell of thecharacter described which constitutes relatively few and simple parts,is extremely sturdy and durable and has a compact, neat and attractiveappearance.

It is another object of my invention to provide a socket shell of thecharacter described which can be put together or taken apart with greatease and despite its many advantages, can be manufactured at a low cost.

Other objects of my invention in part will be obvious and in part willbe pointed out hereinafter.

My invention accordingly consists in t .e features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will beexemplified in the socket shells hereinafter described and of which thescope of application will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown various possibleembodiments of my invention:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the two parts a, of a socketshell constructed in accordance with my invention and which, whenintegrated, constitute a husk;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FlG. 1 but showing the two parts assembled;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG.12 and showing the two parts of the shell in their interengagedposition;

FIG. 4 is a View similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating the parts of theshell after they have been internested but not yet interengaged;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the socket shell, thesame being taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line5-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a partly broken away fragmentary side elevational view of alamp including a harp type socket shell embodying my invention;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the socket shell altered toprovide a husk type of shell;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to PKG. 7, but showing the socket shell alteredto provide a bowl holder type of shell;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the socket shell alteredto provide a spider type of shell;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating how a bowl holder typeof shell can be utilized in a floor lamp; and

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of the two parts of a socket shellembodying a modified form of my invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS.1 through 6, the reference numeral 39 denotes a socket shell, that is tosay, a cover for a socket interior, which is constructed in accordancewith and embodies my invention. Said socket shell basically, pursuant tothe teachings of my invention, is formed in two parts, to Wit, acup-shaped base part 32 and a sleeve-shaped upper part 34. The termsbase and upper are used herein for convenience, with the reference beinga socket for supporting an electric light bulb in upright position withits threaded ferrule lowermost. Under such circumstances, the base part32 of the socket shell will be lowermost and the upper part 34 will beat the top. However, it is to be understood that these terms simply areused for convenience and that the socket shell can be employed in anyconventional position including positions in which the base part andupper part are at the same level and positions in which the base part isabove the upper part, for instance when the socket shell is utilized ina drop or hanging lamp or in a ceiling fixture.

The base part 32 essentially includes a tubular side wall- 3% having anopen upper end and an apertured bottom wall 38. The specificconfiguration of the side and bottorn walls is not a limiting factor ofmy invention and may be of any contour required by the trade. As shownherein, the side wall 36 is of frustoconical configuration with its wideend upeprmost. The bottom wall 33 is dish-shaped, being substantiallyflat but having a large central shallow depression the center of whichis pierced by a through opening 49. The base part is circular intransverse contour.

Said base part, as well as the upper part, desirably is fabricated fromsheet metal, but this is merely mentioned by way of an example and isnot to be considered as a restriction upon my invention, inasmuch as anyother suitable material can be employed. These two parts can be made bydeep drawing operations, or by forging or casting, or even if desired,by molding from a synthetic thermosetting plastic, like a phenolformaldehyde condensate.

The upper part 34 is open at both ends and therefore consists only of atubular side wall 42. The lower end of said side wall must be circularand. must be of a size such that it can telescopically internest withthe upper end of the base part 352. One or the other of these ends,

therefore, is slightly larger or smaller than the other end to permitsuch interengagement. For the sake of appearance, inasmuch as the sidewall 35 is frustoconical and upwardly flaring, the sidewall 42 likewiseis frustoconical and upwardly flaring, beingso dimensioned as, when inassembled relationship with the base part, to constitute a smoothcontinuation of the side Wall. of the base part. The combined'lengths ofthe two parts, when coupled, is in excess of the overall length'of asocket interior, being equal to or greater than the overall length of asocket interior plus the additional space necessary to accommodate adevice for securing the socket interior to the cover, whereby when thesocket interior is permanently fast in the shell, it is laterallyconcealed from view by the cover. Accordingly, the axial length of thebase part 32 is, unlike the comparatively shallow base part of a presentday conventional socket shell, fairly substantial and extends past theswitch control for the socket interior. ample, of pull chains, turnkeys, and push pins.

The upper end of the upper part 34 is sufliciently large to permit theEdison base of an electric light bulb to be inserted'therethrough andengage the Edison ferrule of'the socket interior.

Suitable means is provided to permit the two parts to be coupled oruncoupled in a fashion such that when and to this end does not exceed180 and preferably does not exceed 120, in the preferred form of myinvention being about or less.

Furthermore, in the preferred form of my invention the coupling means issuch that when in engaged condition it creates a peripherallydistributed axial strain between the two parts, this strain acting asafrictional restraint against relative rotation that inhibitsaccidentaldisengagement of the parts and, further, acts to rigidify theconnection between the parts of the socket shell.

More specifically, the quick-acting secure rotatable coupling means forthe two parts 32, 34 includes a mutilated tubular sleeve 44 integralwith and concentrically up.-

standing from the upper end of the base part 32. Said sleeve provides anannular groove 46 below the top edge thereof. In the present embodimentof my invention said groove is formed by fashioning the sleeve with afrustoconical upwardly flaring shape, the lower end thereof beingsmaller than the upper end of the side wall 36 and connected thereto bya radial step'48. The effect of this is to provide not only the annulargroove 46 but also to make the upper end of the sleeve 44'overhangthe'groove.

The mutilation of the sleeve 44 consists in providing axial slots 59therein at equiangular positions, these slots extending from the upperedge of the sleeve to at least the step 4-3, and in the instance of oneslot, to well below said step so as to permit protrusion of the switchcontrol Thereby, axial access is provided to the transelement. verselyextending annular groove 46.

The coupling'means further includes a series of inwardly extendingprotuberances 52 at the lower edge of the upper part 34. Saidprotuberances preferably are equal in number to and have the samerelative angular spacing as the axial slots 5t).

It now will be seen that when it is desired to couple the two parts ofthe socket shell, the upper part is held above the base part in axialalignment thereof and is turned until the protuberances 52 are inregistry with the slots S ll. Then the two parts are moved axiallytogether so as to slide the protuberances through the axial slots untilthey reach the annular groove 46. Then the two parts are relativelyrotated so as to force the protuberances to ride along the annulargroove and become dis- Such mechanisms are standard, consistingfor' ex-'The amount of relative rotation placed from the axial slots. In thisfully coupled condition the overhanging upper edge of the sleeve 44prevents the two parts from moving apart axially.

Moreover, the diameter of the circle defined by the innermost portionsof the protuberances is slightly smaller than the diameter of theannular groove 46. In addition the protuberances are circumferentiallycammed, that is to say, as shown for example in FIGS. 3 and 4, theyslope radially inwardly toward their centers from their sides. Hence, asthe protuberances initially engage the sleeve 44 at the edges of theslots 50, they will force the same inwardly to a slight extent, therebyconstricting the diameter of said sleeve. The sleeve is madesufliciently resilient by the slots to permit such action. Since thesleeve is frustoconical and upwardly flaring, the resultant outwardpressure after coupling exerted on the protuberances 52 by the quadrantsof the mutilated sleeve will have components one of which is radiallyoutward and the other axially downward towards the bottom wall 38. Thislatter force strongly presses the bottom edge of the upper part 34against the annular step 48 so as to secure an extremely rigidconnection between the two parts as well as to create a substantialamount of friction opposing relative rotation of said parts. In FIG. 6the constriction of the sleeve has been somewhat exaggerated in ordermore clearly to demonstrate the above described action. The cammingaction, which forces the protuberances axially toward the step 48, isassisted by the angular slope of the protuberances 52 which matches thatof the frustoconical sleeve 44.

Desirably, means is included to limit relative rotation of the two partsof the socket shell in order that a user thereof will not, when couplingsaid parts, turn them so far that they will reach another positionwherein the protuberances again are lined up with the slots and theparts will be ready for disengagement. Said means simply can constitutea nipple 54 on one of the quadrants of the sleeve 44 approximatelymidway between two of the axial slots 51). A protuberance 52 will buttagainst said nipple as shown in FIG. 3, to define the fully coupledposition of the two parts of the socket.

The socket shell shown in FIGS. 1-6 is the simplest form of cover for asocket interior. However, by detaching the upper part 34 andsubstituting for the same any one of a group of other upper parts, eachof which is adapted to be coupled with the base part 32 in the samemanner, socket shells having different functions and sundry type ofshades or the like supporting means, can be provided without dismountingthe base part and socket interior from a lamp or like electric fixture.The actual form and type of upper part that is employed in any giveninstance will depend upon the use to which the lamp or electric fixturewill be put. Moreover, as will be pointed out in greater detailhereinafter, the upper part can be changed even after the lamp has beencompletely manufactured, and even after it is in the hands of adistributor, retailer or housewife. To illustrate the foregoing, I have,in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10, shown a single lamp base 56 with whichdifferent kinds of upper parts of the socket shell have been employed,thereby to change the character and use of the lamp without at any timedetaching the socket interior or base part of the socket shell.

Referring to FIG. 7, the lamp base 56 will be seen to constitute a lampbody 58 through which there extends a vertical pipe at), the upper endof which is threaded. An escutcheon 62 seated on top of the body isprovided with a central opening through which the upper end of the pipeprotrudes. The base part 32 of a socket shell 3t embodying my inventionrests on the escutcheon 62, the threaded end of the pipe projectingthrough the central opening it) in said part. Said part is rigidlysecured to the pipe, and therefore to the lamp, in any suitable manner.For example, I may utilize for this purpose a hickey 64 of a well knowntype including a female threaded annulus 66 which is screwed on theupper end of the pipe 60 to clamp the base part 32 of the socket shellagainst the escutcheon 62. The hickey also includes an upstanding ear 68which is secured in any convenient fashion, as by screws, to a socketinterior 72.

In the lamp 73 shown in FIG. 7, the upper part 34a of the socket shellis identical to the upper part 34 hereinbefore described with respect toFIGS. 1-6, except that it further includes a lamp harp 74 consisting ofa wire bail 76, a swivel '78, and a finial S8. The lower ends of thebail are located within the upper part 34a in diametrically oppositepositions and are permanently attached thereto, e.g., by welding. Thus,when the upper part 34a is coupled to the base part 32, the harp is inplace ready to support the hub 82 of a spider-type shade support fromthe periphery of which a lamp shade 84 is suspended. The swivel, finial,hub and spider are of standard construction.

In effect, the base part 3-2 and upper part 34a constitute adismountable harp, that to say, a harp which can be detached from itssupport. This type of harp is used, for example, to save shipping space,and is widely employed in the lamp industry.

However, if a lamp manufacture makes a conventional lamp with aha-np-type shade support, or if such a lamp has been shipped to adistributor or retailer, it ordinarily would not be possible to changethe manner of support for the element, e.g., reflector of lamp shade,which is used to diffuse light emanating from the bulb. But, due to theutilization of my invention, the lamp 73 can be modified aftermanufacture without removing the socket. In FIG. 8 I have shown a lamp85 as thus modified. The upper part 34a has been uncoupled from the basepart 32 and in lieu thereof a different upper part 34b has been engagedwith said base part. The upper part 3417 is identical to the upper part34 except that it includes an inturned flange '86 which tends to concealthe upper part of the socket interior. The lamp '85 includes a lampshade 88 which is directly supported from the electric light bulb 90 bya conventional spring clip 92, hub 94 and spider 96.

It readily will .be appreciated that even though the lamp 73' shown inFIG. 7 is shipped out with the lamp hanp 76 forming part of the socketshell, it can, in the hands of the retailer, distributor, or ultimateconsumer, quickly and easily be changed to a different type of lampsimply by detaching the upper part 34a of the socket shell and for it,by way of example, substituting the upper part 34b while at the sametime adding the spring clip 92 and the associated hub 94 and spider 96.

The lamp 73 also can he changed to provide a bowltype diffuser and shadelamp 97 as illustrated in FIG. 9. Said lamp 97 includes an upper part34c for the socket shell, this upper part being higher than the upperparts 34, 34a, and 34b so as partially to embrace the lower half of theenvelope for the electric light bulb. The u per part 34c, like the parts34, 34a and 34b, is of frustoconical configuration and isquick-detachably couplable with the base part 32. Near the top rim ofthe upper part 340 I provide a set of tapped openings 98 adapted toreceive the threaded shanks of screws 100, the tips whereof engage anannular recess N2 in the neck in a conventional diffusor bowl shadeholder 1%. A set of spider arms 1% rest on the wide upper end of theshade holder 1M, and in turn support a lamp shade 108. Thus, bysubstituting the upper part 340 for the upper part 34, 34a, or 34b, Ican transform a lamp into one utilizing a bowltype shade holder.

FIG. 10 illustrates a lamp 109' having still another type of substituteupper part for the socket shell. As illustrated in this figure, saidupper part 34d is provided, adjacent its upper end, with an annularridge 110 to which there are secured, as by peening, a series ofradially extending spider arms 112 which terminate in a hoop 114 towhich a lamp shade 1:16 is secured. The upper part 34d like the previousupper parts, can be quick-detachably coupled to the base part 32.

The foregoing upper parts have been illustrated and described asexamples only of the various types of upper parts that can'be employedin conjunction with my invention, and it will be understood byexperienced workers in the'lamp field that any other type of shade,bowlor the like-holder, can be incorporated in'said upper parttionbetween the two parts of the socket shell whereby alamp shade orthe-like issecurely held in place, will not wobble and will not becomeunsteady if accidentally hit or twisted;

In FIG. ll, 1' have shown my invention as embodied in a floor lamp ofthe torch type. Here, the upper part 34a is the same as the upper part340. However, the screws 1G0 engage an annular groove 118 in a shallowbowl reflector 120. In lamps of thistype the upper part 342 inconjunction with the base part 32 defines an ornamental husk and itoften will be desirable to change the upper part 3412 so as to securesome desired variation in design; The distributor and retailer thereforis not obliged to carry a large stock of lamp stands 121 on the premisesand simply sells to the customer a suitable upper part 346 which willsatisfy some particular artistic taste.

From the above description it will be clear that my invention ispracticed by providing a single standard type of base part 32 Which isdesigned to form a permanent non-removable (except by disassembly) partof a lamp, and any one of a group of upper parts adapted to be rapidlydetachably attached to said base part, and when attached, to be rigidlyand firmly secured thereto, the upper parts having different designs andbeing adapted to support different types of lamp shades or the like.However, it will be understood that my invention is not limited for thesingle base part to the specific :base part disclosed, inasmuch as otherbase parts can be utilized which achieve the same purpose andindividually are capable of being used with any one of a group of upperparts which are rapidly detachably coupled to such base part inaccordance with my invention. For instance, one such different singlebase part 1&2 is illustrated in FIG. 12. This base part is essentiallysimilar to the base part 32' and only differs therefrom in that forthree of the slots 50 of the base part 32, I have substituted externallyconcave grooves "124 which permit the protuberances 52 to the axiallyslid downwardly to the anular groove 46 as explained with reference toFIGS. 1-6. The remainder of the base part 122 and upper part 34a willnot be described inasmuch as they are identical to the base part 32 andthe upper part 34.

It will be appreciated that the base part is upwardly flaring. Quiteoften it is desirable to treat these base parts enmasse; for example,during burnishing or plating. At such times, due to the configurationsof such base parts, one part may become nested in another therebypreventing effective treatment of the nested part. To prevent this fromoccurring, I may provide the base part with internally projecting tabssuch, for instance, as the tabs 51 illustrated in FIG. 1. Inasmuch asthe smallest circle that can be inscribed within the tips of these tabsisabout equal to or smaller than the diameter of the bottom of the basepart, the aforesaid nesting is prevented. These tabs also may functiontoguide the socket into place.

It thus will be seen that I have provided socket shells which achievethe various objects of my invention and are well adapted to meet theconditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention andas various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, itis to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not'in alimiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. An electric socket shell of the character described, consisting of:

two tubular parts having central axes,

one of said parts constituting a one-piece cupshaped base part with anapertured bottom wall for connection to an electric lighting device as apermanent part thereof and for permanent association with a socketinterior in axial alignment with the base part,

said base part being shorter than the socket interior whereby the basepart cannot completely conceal the socket interior,

the other of said parts constituting a one-piece sleeve-shaped upperpartrotatably couplable in partially telescoping end-to-end relationshipwith said base part, said two parts solely cooperating to jointlyprovide a complete cover for the socket interior, and rapid-actingdetachable means engageable upon the partial telescoping of the twoparts and relative rotation of said parts about their central axes foraxially compressively securing said two parts to one another,

said means including a radially outwardly overhanging external annularcam surface forming an integral element of one of said parts and slopinglongitudinally of said one part,

said cam surface including a substantially longitudinal cut-out entryslot leading from an open end of said one part,

a radially inwardly directed protuberance comprising a follower formingan integral element of the other of said parts and adapted to be movedlongitudinally through the entry slot to engage the cam surface when thetwo parts are coupled and relatively rotated,

said cam and follower cooperating upon said coupling and relativerotation to relatively move the two parts into further telescopingrelationship,

and a pair of abutment members one of which is formed integrally withone of the parts and the other of which is formed integrally with theother parts,

at least one of said abutment members being annular and being positionedin a plane perpendicular to said central axes,

said abutment members being positioned with respect to the cam andfollower to longitudinally abut one another when the cooperation betweenthe follower and cam upon coupling and relative rotation of the twoparts causes said two parts to move further into telescopingrelationship, whereby to couple the two parts to one another underpressure in said longitudinal direction, the base part being offrusto-conical configuration with a Wide upper open end, said upper endincluding a frusto-conical portion of reduced diameter terminating in astep, said portion constituting the cam surface and said stepconstituting the annular abutment member, said portion being providedwith slots extending to the upper edge thereof and which constitute theentry slots, the upper part including protuberances which constitute thefollowers and which are adapted to be slid through the entry slots 10 toreach the lower end of the frusto-conical 325,298 White Sept. 1, 1885portion, said protuberances and frusto- 788,200 Finch Apr. 25, 1905conical portion being dimensioned and con- 876,630 Gaynor Jan. 14, 1908toured for the frusto-conical portion to cam 927,344 Freeman July 6,1909 the protubrances so as to press the lower 5 980,743 Becher Jan. 3,1911 edge of the upper portion against the step, 1,025,928 Schoeneck May7, 1912 said lower edge constituting the other abut- 1,027,429 PerkinsMay 28, 1912 ment member. 1,162,354 Hart Nov. 30, 1915 2. A socket shellas set forth in claim 1 wherein the 1,406,649 Jagger F b, 14, 1922 basepart includes tabs extending radially inwardly from 10 1, 21 4 7 lb h22, 1927 the bottoms of the slots- 1,769,481 Zahm July 1, 1930References Cited in the file of this patent gi et a1 i g a r.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,424,908 Willenbacher July 29, 1947 266,017Cooper Oct. 17, 1882 15 2,531,523 Moser Nov. 28, 1950

1. AN ELECTRIC SOCKET SHELL OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, CONSISTING OF:TWO TUBULAR PARTS HAVING CENTRAL AXES, ONE OF SAID PARTS CONSTITUTING AONE-PIECE CUPSHAPED BASE PART WITH AN APERTURED BOTTOM WALL FORCONNECTION TO AN ELECTRIC LIGHTING DEVICE AS A PERMANENT PART THEREOFAND FOR PERMANENT ASSOCIATION WITH A SOCKET INTERIOR IN AXIAL ALIGNMENTWITH THE BASE PART, SAID BASE PART BEING SHORTER THAN THE SOCKETINTERIOR WHEREBY THE BASE PART CANNOT COMPLETELY CONCEAL THE SOCKETINTERIOR, THE OTHER OF SAID PARTS CONSTITUTING A ONE-PIECE SLEEVE-SHAPEDUPPER PART ROTATABLY COUPLABLE IN PARTIALLY TELESCOPING END-TO-ENDRELATIONSHIP WITH SAID BASE PART, SAID TWO PARTS SOLELY COOPERATING TOJOINTLY PROVIDE A COMPLETE COVER FOR THE SOCKET INTERIOR, ANDRAPID-ACTING DETACHABLE MEANS ENGAGEABLE UPON THE PARTIAL TELESCOPING OFTHE TWO PARTS AND RELATIVE ROTATION OF SAID PARTS ABOUT THEIR CENTRALAXES FOR AXIALLY COMPRESSIVELY SECURING SAID TWO PARTS TO ONE ANOTHER,SAID MEANS INCLUDING A RADIALLY OUTWARDLY OVERHANGING EXTERNAL ANNULARCAM SURFACE FORMING AN INTEGRAL ELEMENT OF ONE OF SAID PARTS AND SLOPINGLONGITUDINALLY OF SAID ONE PART, SAID CAM SURFACE INCLUDING ASUBSTANTIALLY LONGITUDINAL CUT-OUT ENTRY SLOT LEADING FROM AN OPEN ENDOF SAID ONE PART, A RADIALLY INWARDLY DIRECTED PROTUBERANCE COMPRISING AFOLLOWER FORMING AN INTEGRAL ELEMENT OF THE OTHER OF SAID PARTS ANDADAPTED TO BE MOVED LONGITUDINALLY THROUGH THE ENTRY SLOT TO ENGAGE THECAM SURFACE WHEN THE TWO PARTS ARE COUPLED AND RELATIVELY ROTATED, SAIDCAM AND FOLLOWER COOPERATING UPON SAID COUPLING AND RELATIVE ROTATION TORELATIVELY MOVE THE TWO PARTS INTO FURTHER TELESCOPING RELATIONSHIP, ANDA PAIR OF ABUTMENT MEMBERS ONE OF WHICH IS FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH ONE OFTHE PARTS AND THE OTHER OF WHICH IS FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH THE OTHERPARTS, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID ABUTMENT MEMBERS BEING ANNULAR AND BEINGPOSITIONED IN A PLANE PERPENDICULAR TO SAID CENTRAL AXES, SAID ABUTMENTMEMBERS BEING POSITIONED WITH RESPECT TO THE CAM AND FOLLOWER TOLONGITUDINALLY ABUT ONE ANOTHER WHEN THE COOPERATION BETWEEN THEFOLLOWER AND CAM UPON COUPLING AND RELATIVE ROTATION OF THE TWO PARTSCAUSES SAID TWO PARTS TO MOVE FURTHER INTO TELESCOPING RELATIONSHIP,WHEREBY TO COUPLE THE TWO PARTS TO ONE ANOTHER UNDER PRESSURE IN SAIDLONGITUDINAL DIRECTION, THE BASE PART BEING OF FRUSTO-CONICALCONFIGURATION WITH A WIDE UPPER OPEN END, SAID UPPER END INCLUDING AFRUSTO-CONICAL PORTION OF REDUCED DIAMETER TERMINATING IN A STEP, SAIDPORTION CONSTITUTING THE CAM SURFACE AND SAID STEP CONSTITUTING THEANNULAR ABUTMENT MEMBER, SAID PORTION BEING PROVIDED WITH SLOTSEXTENDING TO THE UPPER EDGE THEREOF AND WHICH CONSTITUTE THE ENTRYSLOTS, THE UPPER PART INCLUDING PROTUBERANCES WHICH CONSTITUTE THEFOLLOWERS AND WHICH ARE ADAPTED TO BE SLID THROUGH THE ENTRY SLOTS TOREACH THE LOWER END OF THE FRUSTO-CONICAL PORTION, SAID PROTUBERANCESAND FRUSTOCONICAL PORTION BEING DIMENSIONED AND CONTOURED FOR THEFRUSTO-CONICAL PORTION TO CAM THE PROTUBRANCES SO AS TO PRESS THE LOWEREDGE OF THE UPPER PORTION AGAINST THE STEP, SAID LOWER EDGE CONSTITUTINGTHE OTHER ABUTMENT MEMBER.